A Pen Is Just A Pen, Is Just A Pen...Right?

Not sure about the rest of you but my pocket book can't afford the $ 2.42 to $ 3.79 cost of a Micron Pen, especially when I use one up in 5 to 6 tiles, and don't even get me started about the $ 0.59 cost of a Zentangle tile. Also, consider that CZT's get a 50% discount on these materials, which if you can afford the $ 1,100 to $ 1,800 class is a great benefit, however for those Zentangle Artist's that can't afford these luxuries here are some cost savings tips.

Instead of Micron's my favorite alternative are the Sharpie Pen's which are available in a 0.3mm fine point. In addition, NEW to the market by Sharpie is a medium point pen, which is fantastic to draw strings in a heavier weight allowing the lighter weight patterns to standout, as well as, accentuate any shading a Zentangle Artist would wish to apply.

There are four GREAT benefits to Sharpie Pen's; they don't bleed, they last FOREVER (I'm still using the set I bought last year and I Zentangle every day), and they are available in a set of 6 lovely colors (black, red, green, blue, orange and purple), if those three things don't sell you on trying this fine product from Sharpie you can pick-up a set at your local Target Store for $ 7.29 (a 6 Pen Set).

So I encourage you to try out the Sharpie Pen's.

Next on my list of pens are the 0.3mm Staedtler markers. These pen's have a tendency to bleed a bit on certain papers, however, they come in a great array of colors (black, brown, lime green, teal green, light blue, indigo, fuchsia pink, red, orange, and yellow). This set of ten pens is now available at any Target Store for a cost of $ 11.99. Try these if you don't care for the Sharpie Pen's.

Now that I've addressed the pen a quick note that instead of Zentangle tiles try a Carson Bristol Vellum 100 pound cover. Available in pads of 20 sheets at most art stores in several sizes. A 8 1/2" x 11", 20 sheet, pad costs $ 14.95 at my local art store. If you're fortunate enough to live in the Cleveland, Ohio area I strongly encourage you take a drive to near by Brunswick, OH to visit Hollo's Papercraft. At Hollo's you can purchase a stack (100 sheets) of 100 pound or 80 pound Carson cover in per cut sizes of 3" x 5", 4" x 6", 5" x 7", and 8" x 10" for $ 1.50 per stack. Hollo's also carries a black version of this paper if you enjoy the reverse Zentangle look.

So that's it for now. Hope you're having a great summer, which inspires beutiful Zentangle Artwork.

All The Best, Oodles Of Doodles Art

Flukes a Zentangle.com Original Pattern

Here is another favorite pattern. Flukes. One of the original patterns created by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts. Try it out. You'll like it :-)

Have a great week and keep tangling!

Flutter a Sandy Steen Bartholomew Original Pattern

"Flutter" into Spring

Living in rural Ohio allows me to experience the stillness of winter, rustle of spring, sizzle of summer, and drowsiness of fall. There are certain Zentangle patterns which remind me of each.

"Flutter" a floral pattern created by Sandy Steen Bartholomew reminds me of Spring. To celebrate the birth of this season in 2013 I'm providing the steps to create this happy Zentangle pattern.

Spring has sprung! Have a good one!

Zen; meditation or balance. Tangle; jumbled or unbalance.

Together they unify with patterns and spaces to form Zentangle and art form that anyone can do.

Created by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, in 2007, Zentangle leads the mind to a calm, focused, and clear state allowing tension and stress, manifested in the body, to dissapate empowering the body and mind to relax and rest.

What an accomplishment! I applaud Maria and Rick for defining such a simple, fun, and soothing art that encourages the human race to slow down, create, admire, and encourage beautiful things in their environments.

Learn more about Maria Thomas, Rick Roberts, and Zentangle at their offical website www.zentangle.com.

The Let’s Tangle blog is to share and encourage everyone to create Zentangle Inspired Art that visually represents an individual to the world at large.

So, ready, set, Zentangle :-)